Gold Medal 567

"Oh my god, a whole year in the same dorm, and all I knew about him was that he was the star delivery guy for Rainbow Pizza... No wonder. If I were the principal, I'd definitely have transferred Li Hao from the journalism department to the mecha department too.

But wait a minute, why did he apply to the journalism department in the first place?

Zhou Naiyi also understood, and she guessed that Li Hao must have made a serious mistake, to the point where Principal Long wanted to use him but was also a bit wary of him.

Everyone started imagining different scenarios, their faces serious yet filled with confusion. The person in question, however, just shrugged nonchalantly, "What's up with you guys, looking at me like I'm a stranger? I just got lucky back then and got selected. Later, I had a run-in with some people from the Moon, caused some trouble, and it's all ancient history now. They've probably long forgotten about me."

That was the toughest mission Bleem ever gave him. He really didn't know what Bleem wanted by having him stir up trouble in the Youth Class. Fortunately, he managed to find an opportunity when there really wasn't one.

Li Hao spoke casually, but no matter how hard they tried, the others couldn't relax. Back then, the Moon people led the effort, providing the venue and funding, and the four major federations selected the best young talents from all over to join the "Apocalypse" project. The specifics were unclear, but only 5,000 or so people were chosen from across the entire Solar System alliance, with just 600 formally admitted to the Youth Class. The elimination rate was extremely high, and even those eliminated were top figures in their fields. At the very least, it showed that Li Hao not only got in but also stayed.

Ma Long licked his lips, feeling a bit dry, "What was your field of entry back then?"

"I think it was in starship and mecha operations." Li Hao took a bite of meat and sneakily grabbed a piece from Zuo Xiaotang's plate.

This time, the table went completely silent. Even with his eyes closed, Li Hao could never be considered bottom-tier.

"Heh, everyone's here? Great, saves me from having to find you." A hearty voice sounded. A group of people had somehow gathered around Li Hao and the others. "Naiyi, I want to talk to you."

It was Gao Yunfeng, captain of the Tianjing representative team. Now a fourth-year student in the mecha department, he was once a bona fide golden boy before the Solar System Mecha Tournament. Regardless of which career path he chose, his future seemed limitless. However, the overall poor performance of the last tournament had taken a toll on him, and this year was a chance to redeem himself.

"Gao Yunfeng, if you have something to say, just say it." Zhou Naiyi had withdrawn from his team after the last tournament; she and Gao Yunfeng had entirely different ideas and philosophies.

Gao Yunfeng paused for a moment but maintained a gentle tone, "Naiyi, what we need to discuss is very important. It concerns the future of Tianjing."

"Gao Yunfeng, the best you could do is not to ruin Tianjing's future," Ma Long shot back bluntly. "The way you guys played in the S-Tournament was embarrassing; you were all such cowards. If I were you, I'd have quit school a long time ago." Ma Long had no reservations about dissing him—after all, Gao Yunfeng was his love rival. He had also been pursuing Sheng Man initially. The two were evenly matched at first, but when Sheng Man found out about Gao Yunfeng's womanizing ways, she decisively chose Ma Long. Over the past year, Gao Yunfeng had used his position as student council president to make things difficult for Ma Long on more than one occasion.

For example, Gao Yunfeng had chased away all the members of Ma Long's photography club, forcing him to recruit new members or face dissolution due to lack of members.

"Ma Long, is this how you speak to your seniors? Didn't you learn your lesson the last time I beat you up?" Zhao Zhihan taunted while his eyes kept darting toward Ye Tong.

Ye Tong continued eating, seemingly indifferent to the drama unfolding around her. She was new here and had no idea about the existing grievances.

"Zhao Zhihan, if it's a fight you want, I'm in!" Wu Zang stood up, speaking in a deep voice.

Zhao Zhihan felt a bit intimidated. The "Little Cannonball" had already earned quite a reputation in the mecha department within just a year. This guy was fierce, relentless, and fearless.

"Wu Zang, this has nothing to do with you, back off. Ma Long, if you're a man, come fight me one-on-one, anytime." Zhao Zhihan blustered, trying to sound fierce.

"A fight? What kind? A beauty contest? You'd need plastic surgery for that, and not even gene therapy could help you!"

Gao Yunfeng had also noticed Ye Tong and stopped Zhao Zhihan from losing his temper. He knew she was the new recruit Principal Long had personally scouted. With a slight smile, he addressed her, "You must be Ye Tong, right? I hope you'll join my team. Let's join forces to create the strongest Tianjing team. Naiyi, last time was just a mistake, and our disagreements were merely between teammates. I hope you'll reconsider joining us. This year, we will reclaim our honor!"

As a fourth-year, Gao Yunfeng wouldn't be easily provoked. Plus, if he wanted to secure a spot in the USE selection, talents like Ye Tong, Zhou Naiyi, and Wu Zang were crucial.

After finishing a piece of beef and wiping her lips, Ye Tong suddenly turned to Li Hao, "Li Hao, who do you think I should join?"

...

Gao Yunfeng and the others all turned to look at this seemingly insignificant person. Li Hao?

Was there someone like that at Tianjing Mecha Academy?

"Junior, you should decide for yourself. If you want my opinion, I think the class president's team would be better."

"Okay, I'll listen to you," Ye Tong replied nonchalantly.

Gao Yunfeng frowned. Who was this guy, to whom Ye Tong was willing to listen so readily? "Li Hao, would you like to join my team along with Ye Tong? You should know, this is a great honor and would greatly benefit your future after graduation. As long as Ye Tong agrees to join, I'm willing to make an exception for you."

Before Li Hao could respond, Ma Long burst out laughing, "Somebody here doesn't know his own limits. Your embarrassing team, a great honor? Do you even know Li Hao is a member of the Solar System Apocalypse Youth Class? A formal member!"

Gao Yunfeng and his group were stunned, followed by Zhao Zhihan bursting into laughter. "Him? That guy? If he's from the Apocalypse Youth Class, then I'm the President of the Solar System Alliance. Are you out of your mind, saying something like that?"

"He actually is from the Apocalypse Youth Class. But you're not." Ye Tong looked at them with wide, innocent eyes, as if she were looking at fools.

The cafeteria fell silent. The title of the Apocalypse Youth Class carried immense weight, and many of the strong figures that emerged recently were marked by this label. Was there really such a boss hiding at Tianjing Mecha Academy?

It wouldn't mean much if someone else said it, but Ye Tong's words carried a lot of weight.

Gao Yunfeng cast a deep look at Li Hao. "Let's go."

The group quickly left. It must be said that the reputation of the Apocalypse Youth Class was too daunting. Without first investigating, even someone like Gao Yunfeng wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

"Guys, seriously, don't do this to me. That's all old news. You're going to give people the wrong impression." Li Hao sighed in exasperation.

"Hao-ge, what's going on? A big shot from the Youth Class, how did you end up like this?" Ma Long whispered, once the others had left. That was the question on everyone's mind.

"It's all ancient history. I got into a brawl back then and ended up with a disciplinary record. Don't ask anymore. I'm good now. Class President, I won't be a burden, but my free time is really limited." Li Hao smiled.

Ye Tong had been staring at Li Hao the entire time. The details of that incident had been sealed, and only a few people knew, but she happened to know a bit, and she was actually a participant.

"Captain, leave Li Hao to me. Don't worry, I'll help him get back to where he belongs." Ye Tong volunteered. "From now on, please take care of me."

Li Hao nodded. Ye Tong... There wasn't such a surname back then. It was quite unique, and given she was from USE, he should have known her. Weird.

That meal caused quite a stir at Tianjing Mecha Academy. The news spread that the academy harbored a hidden prodigy from the Apocalypse Youth Class—albeit a fallen one. After all, the Youth Class was from a long time ago, and wasted talent was nothing new. If he were really that impressive, he would have soared long ago.

Excitement aside, the new semester had just started. Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong had many things to do, and Wu Zang had to train. His training regimen was not to be interrupted by anything. Ma Long and Sheng Man were experiencing the excitement of reunion after a brief separation, so they naturally had plenty of indescribable matters to attend to.